Source of Contributions

Looking at the score sheets over the past couple of games it's not hard to see who is contributing. The top line of Sam Muchalla, Brooks Robinson and Joe Morgan have combined for a total of 21 points in three games; add in Wes McLeod and there's another eight points. In fact most of those goals have come from the veteran defenceman's stick who has notched five goals in those three games.

Robinson is the leader as far as being the setup man goes and it all starts in the faceoff circle for the twenty year old centreman. Eight of his nine points are assists coming from the hard work of winning and controlling the draw. Joe Morgan may not like the idea that he doesn't have a goal to show for his hard work on the top line, but being in the right place at the right time to find the right guy has paid off with four helpers.

Perhaps the biggest breakout over the past couple of games is that of Sam Muchalla who has lit the lamp in breathtaking fashion with highlight reel goals. After getting off to an admittedly slow start on the opening weekend that resulted in missing two more games, the Spruce Kings captain has been the biggest contributor with his nine points including one game winning goal. That particular goal showed off the heads up play making ability of another veteran from the blue line, as Josh Pineiro feathered a perfect bank shot to spring Muchalla on an uncontested breakaway.

That goal was scored on Friday in front of the home town fans, but for those listening to the game in Williams Lake on Wednesday night they also picked up on the American born player registering a Gordie Howe hattrick. Pineiro was probably the happiest guy on the night and didn't need any help identifying the significance of such a feat. Pineiro's goal is the only short handed goal scored by the team so far and full credit has to go to Zac Rasmussen and Joe Morgan.

Rasmussen found the puck in his feet along the wall in front of his own bench and turned on the rockets with a move that caused one Timberwolves defenceman to blow a tire creating a two on one with Pineiro and Joe Morgan trailing on the play. Rasmussen dropped the puck to Morgan who looked to be teeing up a howitzer but instead slipped a nice pass through the legs of the defenceman and onto Pineiro's stick. The play was so perfect that Pineiro had to admit that he never realized he had scored until he got mobbed by his team mates.

One other player that has helped to lead his team to a three victories in four games and back-to-back wins over the Williams Lake Timberwolves is Alex Wright. The Prince George minor hockey product played the role of backup to Kevin Genoe last year. This year after some preseason seasoning with the Spokane Chiefs, Wright is looking at laying claim to the starter's role ... something he is well on his way to doing. Already in the top five among Spruce Kings netminders for shutouts, goals against average and save percentage, Wright is looking to find his place in the record book for all time wins as well.

Again those are hard numbers that can be crunched at any time by anybody, what isn't nearly as noticeable is the contributions of the unsung heros. Following the game in Williams Lake, Jeremy Wiebe came out of the dressing room wearing the Spruce Kings hard hat for his efforts in the game. If you don't think that is an honour, I beg to differ especially after seeing Jeremy still wearing his hard hat following a Thursday skate. Wiebe found himself involved in two fights Wednesday night and in all had to answer the call against three different Timberwolves over the two games ... that call was answered successfully each and everytime I might add.

Now all of these players and the long list of players not mentioned here comes the task of maintaining their momentum and reaching that all important .500 mark. The Spruce Kings will head into a pair of weekend games against the Surrey Eagles (Friday) and the Williams Lake Timberwolves (Saturday) with a chance to register more wins than losses on the season.

Currently sitting with three wins and four losses, the Spruce Kings know they control their own fate and will be ready for the challenge of their first Coastal Division opponent on Friday night. Game time at the Coliseum is 7:00pm with the game available on 93.1 CFIS-FM and also online from the Spruce Kings website as well as the BCHL Fanzone for those that won't be able to attend in person.